Receptacle



April 1, 1952 N. M. STONE 2,591,104

EEEEEEEE LE ATT'Y April 1, 1952 4 INVENTOR. N ATHAN M. STQNE BY MMPatented Apr. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECEPTACLE Nathan M.Stone, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 22, 1948, Serial No. 34,513

6 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a receptacle or container and maybe built in a variety of styles, shapes and forms for the differentuses. It is more particularly described as a sheet metal containerhaving larger or projecting ends connected by a central body and with ahinged top or cover fitting over the top of the receptacles between andflush with the tops of the ends.

In this form, the structure has a neat and pleasing appearance and maybe made in various sizes, shapes, and of colored materials to providesuch difierent receptacles as radio cabinets, cigarette holders, jewelboxes, clothes hampers, trunks, suitcases, package boxes, as well ascontainers for various articles of merchandise, and also for shipment orstorage.

An important object of the invention is to provide a receptacle in whichthe central portion is made of sheet metal having end attaching tonguesand flanges formed therewith by means of which the ends are separatelyassembled and secured in place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel end constructionfor receptacles and containers which comprises a continuous marginal rimapplied around the tongues and flanges of the intermediate body portionfor securing end panels within the flanges and covering the tongues andflanges to make a neat and attractive composite end structure.

A further object of the invention is to fold the body structure of thereceptacle at one or both edges to enclose a strengthening bar and toprovide a crosspiece to which a cover may be securely hinged.

A further object of the invention is to provide an enclosing marginalrim for the end pieces and the cover in which a single channel member iswrapped around the edges of the end or the cover and fastened in placeby a projecting tongue which is seated in a recess at the opposite endof the member so that it will be flush with the outer surface of thechannel member when connected in place.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a marginal channelwhich is wrapped around the edges of the ends so that the joint is atthe bottom and in covering the joint with feet or other supports whichconceal the means for attaching the marginal channel.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the specification and willbe apparent from the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. l is a perspective view of a receptacle in accordance with thisinvention having outwardly 2 projecting end pieces and a hinged coversimilar to the ends;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partial assembly of the receptaclebody with one of the end plates;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partial assembly of a receptacleshowing the application of one of the end channel members .in completingthe end structure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the body blank showing theflange fold lines and the locking tongues;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one of the end pieces showing thelocking tongues engaging in the end piece;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view as taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 8showing the bar for reinforcing the body at the rear edge and a coverhinge; Fig. 7 is a sectional detail on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1 showingthe method of attaching a finger hold to the cover; Fig. 8 is aperspective view of one corner of the receptacle showing a portion ofthe hinge cover and the adjacent corner of one of the end pieces;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an end opening receptacle in accordancewith this invention in the form of a hamper or similar device; Fig. 10is an exploded view of the parts making up the receptacle of Fig. 9;Fig. 11 is an elevational view of the top; Fig. 12 is a perspective Viewof the marginal frame for the top before it is applied to the container;and Fig. 13 is a sectional detail as taken on the line I 3l 3 of Fig.11.

.Although this receptacle is described as made of thin sheet metal, itmay also be made of other materials such as plastics, or it may be acombination of metal and plastics. The panelscontained in the cover andthe ends are preferably of thin sheet metal or plastics, particularlythe outermost or exposed sheets or panels which may be of differentmaterial at the inside and at the outside, and these materials may be ofdifferent colors and surface ornamentation so that the appearance of thereceptacles made in this manner may vary widely depending upon the useor application of the receptacle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a receptacle body isformed of sheet material having a front panel l0 and a back panel Hconnected to a bottom panel l2 by fold lines l3 and M respectively. Ateach end of the body opposite the fold lines 13 and I4 are \.'-shapedcuts I5 separating these panels, and at the sides of the cuts, theextremities of the panels are bent outwardly on fold lines I6 and theninwardly on fold lines I! to provide attached and projecting channelsI8, i9 and 26.

At the upper edge of the front and rear panels I!) and H is a roundedand reinforcing edging, each edging comprising two longitudinal strips22 and 2-3 formed by folding the material on fold lines 24 and 25respectively, and each of the strips having a tongue 26 projecting ateach end thereof beyond the fold line H5 engaging the apex of eachV-cut. The front strips are folded flatly together and bent inwardly onthe fold line 2 5, and the rear strips are similarly folded, or ifdesired, a reinforcing angle bar 28 may have one web inserted betweenthe strips and the other end extending flatly against the back panel Iias shown in Fig. 6 for reinforcing this edge of the panel.

To close the ends of the receptacle body formed by the panels If), H and52, a thin sheet 30 of metal or any other suitable material is insertedin the projecting channels l B, i 9 and 2H and near its upper end, ithas slots 3! for receiving therethrough'the tongues 25 from the strips22 and 23 which are then bent oppositely, binding this inner sheet 38tightly in place and forming the inside surfaces of the ends of thereceptacle. An outer cover sheet 32 is likewise inserted in the endchannels'IS, l9 and 2t and may be of sheet metal, paper, plastic, or anyother desired material, the outer surface of which may be colored ordecorated to make the end of the box more attractive. Between the innerand outer sheets 3| and 32, a filler 33 is inserted to take up theentire space in the channels and to make the inner and outer sheets fittightly and closely therein.

. A continuous marginal frame 40 is bent in the form of a channel of asize to fit closely over the end channelsl8, l9 and Z0 and the oppositewebs of the channel frame are angularly notched at the corners so thatit will fit closely around the edge projecting above, below, andoutwardly from the sides of the body panels I0, I! and 12. A neatconcealed joint for the adjacent ends of the frame is formed byproviding a tongue 42 projecting from one of the frame extremities and aslot 43 adiacent the end of the opposite frame section at one end'of aslight depression 44 so that when the end of the tongue 42 is insertedthrough the slot 43 and bent backwardlv into the depression 44 it willbe closely seated therein and by soldering or otherwise connecting theton ue into the depression, a neat and almost invisible joint will beformed which holds the frame about the end. By inserting fastening nails45 throu h openin sin the frame M, supporting feet or blocks 46 may beattached to the -under sides of the frame 43 near the'corners thereof,thereby forming suitable supports for the receptacle and hiding theframe connection. A cover 58 has an outer frame 52 similar to each ofthe end frames Q8 and similarly connected by a tongue and slotconnection at the extremities of the frame. An inside panel 53 may beprovided similar to the inside panel 33 of eachof the ends and an outercover 54 may be combined therewith to enclose a filler 55 which makes upthe thickness of the cover, as in the end pieces.

the entire cover having the thickness of the interior of thechannel'frame 52 with a pleasing inner and outer surface which may besimilar ,in appearance or different 'depending upon the decorative desin ofthe receptacle. A finger hold pro ection 56 mav be secured to thefront ed e of the cover by inserting one or more fastening nails into itfrom the inside of the cover frame 52 as shown more clearly in Fig. '7which conceals the means for attaching the finger hold and produces apleasing and decorative appearance.

The cover is connected by hinges 63 to the. upper edge of the back Hwhich is reinforced by the angle bar 28, one leaf of each hingebeingattached to the edge of the cover, and the other leaf of the hinge beingattached through the upper side of te back and through one web of theangle bar 23 by suitable rivets 82 or other fastening devices. A limitguard 63 is also attached by the fastening rivets $2 at the outer sideof the receptacle hinge leaf which covers this portion of the hinge andprovides an engagement for the cover, limiting its backward movement sothat the cover will be supported in an upward open position just beyonda vertical position at the back of the receptacle for providing freeaccess to the receptacle when the cover is raised.

With this construction, an attractive variable receptacle is provided inwhich the same construction may be employed in various containers forwidely different purposes, made of different materials and produced fromrelatively inexpensive and also more costly materials. This constructionis particularly adapted fora variety of decorative and structuraleffects, for by varying only the outer surface of the end pieces and thecovers which consist of a thin outer cover sheet, the whole appearanceand decoration of the receptacle may be changed. if the receptacle is tobe used for merchandise containing boxes, it will will be made ofrelatively cheap and inexpensive materials, and ifit is to be used forajewel'box, it may be made of more expensive materials.

In the form of the invention as shown by Figs. 9 to 13, a similarconstruction is applied to a top opening or hamper type of receptacle.

In this form of the invention, a hollow tubular body 18 of sheetmaterial may be circular or rectangular in cross section and formed withsharp grooves H and flat the top and bottom or the ends respectively ofthe body, leaving an end rim '23 with its outer surface substantiallyflush with the remainder of the body. A bottom 15 in the form of a boardeither solid or ofcomposite materials is adapted to fit within the lowermarginal rim l3, and a continuous marginal channel frame i6 is appliedaround and over the marginal rim 73 and the end board or bottom 15within the rim E3, the edges of the channel rim engaging in the groovel2 and over the end of the bottom board and held tightly in place by atongue I? at one end of the frame 16 which is movable into a slot 78 inthe adjacent end of the frame for tightly binding the frame 1'6 inplace.

At the top orother end of the receptacle, a similar construction may beem loyed for closing the end or door panel 88 may be enclosed in the topmarginal rim 73 by means of a marginal channel frame 82 similar to thechannel frame It. This door panel 89 is composed of wood fiber, acomposition material, metal, or any other suitable material andcomprises an opening 83 in which a door 84 is movably mounted preferably by hinges 85 so that it fits flush in the panel. A handle 85 isprovided at the free edge of the door by means of which it may be raisedand lowered as desired.

In this hamper construction, either or both ends are'secured to the bodyby continuous'marginal frames of channel form and the marginal framesmay be mounted so that they are flush with the outer surface of the bodyor they will be inconspicuous providing a substantially smooth andfinished outer appearance or the marginal frames may project slightlyfrom the body of the receptacle providing a distinctive and decorativeconstruction which may be of a different material or a different color,thus adding a distinction and attractive appearance to anyreceptacle towhich they are applied. Usually the body of the receptacle will be ofsheet metal and the cover panel together with the cover may be ofdifferent material depending upon the use for which the receptacle isintended. This type of receptacle also is adapted to be varied in form,construction and appearance, the body may be round or oval instead ofrectangular in cross sections and the ends will then be shapedaccordingly to conform to the shape of the body.

While the preferred constructions of these receptacles have beendescribed in some detail, they should be regarded as illustrations orexamples rather than as limitations or restrictions of the invention asmany changes may be made in the construction, combination andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

I claim:

1. A receptacle comprising a continuous body of sheet material bent toform front, back, and bottom portions with outwardly projecting channelsat the ends of each portion and with top, front, and rear strips to formedges for the receptacle and having tongues extending from the ends ofeach strip, inner and outer panels insertable within the end channels toclose each end of the receptacle, the inner panel at each end havingslots through which the tongues at the upper front and rear edges areinserted and bent oppositely to secure the inner panel in place, and aconnected marginal frame extending around the edges of the panels andthe channels at the ends of the receptacle body and projecting outwardlybeyond the body at the sides, bottom and across the top thereof.

2. A receptacle, comprising a body formed of continuous sheet materialbent to form connected front, rear and bottom portions with the upperfront and rear edges bent over upon themselves, and longitudinal stripsto form the corresponding edges of the receptacle and with projectingtongues at the extremities of each strip, the extremities of the bodyportions being bent outwardly to form inwardly opening channels, innerand outer end panels fitting within the channels to close each of theends of the receptacle, the inner panel conforming to the inner surfaceof the body portion and having slots near the top through which thetongues of the slits are inserted and bent in opposite directions tohold this panel in place, and a connected marginal frame in the form ofa channel extending over the edges of the panels and the body channelsand enclosing the end panels therein.

3. In a receptacle of the class described, a sheet metal body bent toprovide front, rear, and bottom panels with strips at the upper edges ofthe front and rear panels folded over upon themselves and havingprojecting tongues at the ends thereof, a strengthening angle bar for atleast one edge of the receptacle having one web included between thebent over strips and the other web fastened to the corresponding portion6 of the body, each of the body portions having projecting channels atthe ends, inner and outer end panels located in the channels to closethe ends of the receptacle and to fill the channels, the inner panel ateach end having slots near the upper front and rear edges for receivingthe tongues of the front and rear strips therethrough, the tongues beingbent oppositely at the other side of the panel to hold this paneltightly in place, a marginal frame extending around the edges of the endpanels and the channels at each end and covering the marginal edges ofthe end panels up to the outer surfaces of the front, rear and bottompanels of the body, and a cover hinged to the upper edge of the rearpanel and adapted to close over the top of the receptacle flush with theupper edges of the marginal frames covering the ends of the receptacle.

4. In a receptacle of the class described, a body formed of sheet metalhaving connected front, back, and bottom panel portions with connectedstrips at the upper edges of the front and rear panels folded over uponthemselves to provide smooth inner edges and the ends of the stripshaving projecting tongues, the ends of the panel portions havingprojecting channels opening inwardly, inner and outer end panels seatedwithin the channels and closing each end of the receptacle, at least theinner panel of each end having slots near the upper, front and rear endsthrough which the tongues are inserted and bent oppositely to hold theend panels in place, a marginal frame for each end of the receptacleextending over the edges of the end panels and the channel extensionsand covering the marginal edges of the end panels, a strengthening anglebar, one web of which is included between the strips of the rear paneland the other web of which is secured to the upper edge of the rearpanel, a cover comprising a marginal frame similar to the receptacleend, and hinges secured to the rear edge of the cover and to the upperedge of the rear panel through the connected web of the strengtheningangle bar therefor.

5. In a receptacle of the class described, a body portion of sheetmaterial folded to provide connected front, rear and bottom panelportions with strips at the upper edges of the front and rear panelsfolded over upon themselves to provide a smooth inner edge for thereceptacle and having tongues projecting from both ends of each of thestrips, channel projections at the ends of the panel portions openinginwardly but projecting outwardly from the outer sides of thecorresponding panel portions, inner and outer end panels insertable inthe channels and the innermost panel having slots near its upper, frontand rear edges for receiving the corresponding tongues from the frontand rear strips, the tongues being bent over oppositely to secure thispanel to the inner end of the receptacle, a connected marginal frameextending around the channel members and the edges of the panels at eachend of the receptacle, a cover for the receptacle comprising a marginalframe extending around the edges, hinges connecting one edge of thecover with the upper rear edge of the rear panel, the marginal frame ofthe ends and the cover each comprising a channel .strip with angularlynotched opposite webs at the corners, a tongue at one end of the stripand a slot at the other end of the strip through which the tongue isinserted from the inside in completing the marginal frame, the outeredge of the frame adjacent the connecting slot being recessed inwar'dlyto seat the outer end'of the tongue therein flush with the outer surfaceof the marginal frame.

v 6. In a receptacle of thecl-ass described, a body comprising sheetmaterial folded to provide con nected front, bottom, and rear panelportions with projecting channels atythe ends of each panel portion,receptacle ends comprising end panels seated in the projecting channels,a marginal frame extending around the channels and the edges of the endpanels therein to attach each of the receptacle ends to the remainder ofthe body, a-cover comprising a plurality of panels and a marginalconfining frame extending aroundthe edges of the panels, hinged meansfor connecting the cover to the upper edge of the rear panel, and meansprojecting. from the bottoms of the receptacle ends and from the frontedge of the cover attached to the marginal frames thereof from the innerside thereof, thus concealing the means for attaching the projections.

NATHAN M. STONE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

